Dedham Trails

Dolan Center Launch, 269 Common Street

  • Town of Dedham's public canoe and kayak launch connects to the walking trails at Whitcomb Woods and Wilson Mountain.

Noble & Greenough School

  • The Castle was built as a private residence for Albert Nickerson in 1890, and was used later by the school. Nobles is a private school founded in 1866. The school moved to Dedham in 1922. Noble & Greenough has an active crew team and has long been a good steward to the river.

Bridge Street Pass

  • Site of the first cart bridge erected over the Charles River in 1644.

Town Landing Launch

  • 2) Originally called Bullard's Landing Place, Town Landing is a short walk from Dedham Square, where you can explore a vital and thriving downtown, full of great shops and restaurants with casual dining. Walkable and charming, a visit to Dedham Square by canoe or kayak is a unique feature of the water trail, one not to be missed!

Powder House

  • Powder House was built in 1766 and stored military supplies through the period of the American Revolution.

Dedham Boat Club

  • This was the former site of the Dedham Boat Club, which existed from 1874 until 1934.

The Keye

  • This was the landing place of the first settlers of the Dedham Plantation in 1636

Mother Brook Launch

  • Created in 1639, Mother Brook, also known as Mill Creek, is believed to be the first man-made canal in the United States and the course for the first water driven, broad powered loom in the world. It was used as a swimming beach from the late 1800s to the 1940s. WARNING: Use caution around the dam.

Moseley's on the Charles

  • Built in 1905, one of the oldest surviving dance halls in the country where boaters would anchor in the evenings and listen to live music.

Old Irish Alehouse

  • The original building as it stands today was home to three different canoe clubs throughout the early to mid-1900s. This restaurant has been serving local patrons for over 100 years.

Marie Louise Kehoe Park (Riverdale Park)

  • A recreational hub of the river in the early 1900s, Riverdale had several boathouses, canoe clubs, liveries for canoe rentals and a carousel with a steam organ known as a calliope. Until World War II, hundreds of spectators would line the river to watch weekend boating competitions between area boat clubs.

Havey Beach

  • This beach was a popular spot for summer fun close to a half century ago. The original boathouse, now owned by DCR has been renovated for use.

Long Ditch Mouth

  • Long Ditch was dug in 1653 by early Dedham settlers to allow greater cultivation of hay. The water flow from the ditch resulted in a natural peninsula, creating Dedham Island (Riverdale). The ditch helps to alleviate flooding and improves meadow grasslands.

Long Ditch

  • Use caution, portage may be necessary at low water levels.

Needham Street Launch

  • This public launch connects the Dedham's conservation land with walking trails located at Newton's Cutler Park and Dedham's Pine Island Reserve.

NewBridge on the Charles

  • Site of future tie-up on the NewBridge campus with connection to two miles of public walking trails.

Legacy Place

  • Legacy Place offers the best shopping, dining and entertainment experience in the region. The center features a unique blend of retailers, including Whole Foods Market, L.L.Bean, Kings, and Showcase Cinema de Lux. Legacy Place also hosts an exceptional lineup of restaurants.